Sportfishing Industry Association Appoints Southeast Fisheries Policy Director

Policy veteran will focus on fisheries policy in Florida and throughout the Southeast Region

Alexandria, VA – December 6, 2021 – The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is pleased to announce that Martha Guyas, an expert in Florida’s marine fisheries management and policy development, has joined ASA’s Government Affairs team as Southeast Fisheries Policy Director. She is based in Tallahassee, Florida’s state capitol.

“ASA’s Board of Directors’ vision to create the Keep Florida Fishing program in 2015 has greatly increased our involvement and influence in the Southeast region, resulting in positive policy outcomes that benefit fishing access and conservation,” said Mike Leonard, ASA’s vice president of Government Affairs. “Martha is widely respected for her knowledge, intellect and professionalism. She has the ideal experience and expertise to help us build upon our successes and address the many ongoing challenges in the southeast.”

Guyas most recently worked for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as the Section Leader for the Federal Fisheries Section of the Division of Marine Fisheries Management. She and her team developed management and rulemaking recommendations for the commissioners on federal marine fisheries management issues affecting Florida. She began her career with the FWC as a regional biologist working on marine fisheries issues in south Florida. Her broad portfolio includes many federal fisheries issues that intersected with the FWC, from highly migratory species to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

In addition, she also served on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council representing Florida and worked extensively on South Atlantic Fishery Management Council issues. She was the Vice Chair for the Gulf Council prior to accepting the position with ASA.

“Joining the American Sportfishing Association’s staff as the Southeast Fisheries Policy Director is an honor,” said Guyas. “The heart of the sportfishing industry is based in the southeast United States. I look forward to the opportunity to apply my fisheries management and policy experience to address the challenges in the region. Ultimately, I want to do my part to help ensure that anglers and boaters have well managed fisheries and access to our public waters now and in the future.”

Guyas’ interest in marine biology was influenced by her childhood where she grew up in a Maryland fishing community on the Chesapeake Bay. Her father, who is still an avid angler, was a charter captain for many years as well as a custom rod builder. Guyas attended Wake Forest University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She went onto receive her Master of Science degree in marine biology from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Guyas and her family call Tallahassee, Fla., their home.